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Converted Merchant Ships – HMNZS Duchess

HMNZS Duchess (T07)

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HMNZS Duchess, and a very fine ship indeed
Duchess pre WW2 at Kawau Island


HMNZS DUCHESS – Type: Auxiliary Minesweeper/Examination Vessel
Pennant No.: T07
Built: 1897 Mackie & Thompson Scotland
Type: Auxiliary Minesweeper/Examination Vessel
Pennant No.: T07
Displacement: 314 tons gross, 137 tons net
Length: 133.6 ft. /40.7 m Beam: 26 ft./7.9 m Draft: 10.3 ft./3.1 m
Propulsion: Steam reciprocating 650 ihp, single shaft, coal
Speed: 12 knots
Complement: 17 as MS, 24 as Exam. Vessel
Armament: 1 light MG

Duchess was a passenger ferry operating in the Hauraki Gulf. In 1934 the ship was charted for 12 weeks, converted and commissioned as HMS Duchess II for five weeks of MS trials. She was then returned to her owners.

She was requisitioned on 24 June 1940 and commissioned on 8 July, temporarily in the first instance, as an additional sweeper at Auckland, although questionably suitable. In April 1941 she was reduced to care and maintenance on a mooring In November she was taken in hand for conversion to an examination vessel, a duty she performed at Auckland until the service ceased in September 1944.

After a further spell on the moorings, Duchess performed as a supply ship to HMNZS Tamaki from February 1945 until September 1946 when she was paid off and placed on sale. She was sold in December to F. Appleton of Penrose for breaking up. The hull was stripped , towed away and beached in Boulder Bay, Rangitoto Island.